Miss Ohio USA honors Ohio State, Cincinnati football teams during competition

The reigning Miss Ohio USA contestant gave a nod to both the Ohio State Buckeyes and University of Cincinnati Bearcats football teams during the Miss USA contest Sunday evening in Tulsa, Okla. 

Nicole Wess, a junior at the University of Cincinnati, wore an Ohio State uniform and carried a Cincinnati Bearcats helmet during the costume contest part of the program.

"Most people don't know much about Ohio, but they know when you see someone else from Ohio, you say O-H and they say I-O and that's in reference to the Ohio State Buckeyes," she said. "I wanted to have a costume to represent them. I decided why not be an Ohio State football player."

What did Miss Ohio's Nicole Wess' jersey and helmet say?

Her jersey had Miss Ohio USA with 21 in the front and back.

"And since UC is doing amazing this year, so I figured I would do a red helmet with a UC sticker on one side and a Buckeye Leaf Ohio State sticker on the other (side)."

Miss Ohio Nicole Wess likes the Bearcats and Buckeyes

Wess, who is from West Chester north of Cincinnati, said she grew up as an Ohio State fan and also adopted the Cincinnati Bearcats when she started attending there.

"I'm giving a shoutout to both," she said. 

Wess said she enjoyed her experience at the Miss USA competition.

"I was a little intimidated, but I just learned one day at a time from it. I learned how to communicate better and make connections with new people and I now have a friend in every state. You make connections for a lifetime."

Miss USA winner has Ohio ties

The competition was won by Miss Kentucky Elle Smith, who is from Springfield, Ohio.